Improvement in lasts



2 Sheets--Shet 1.

v-W. J., B. MILLS. improvement in Lasts.

Patented Feb.`2o,1s72.

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42 Sheets---Sheet 2.

W. J. B. MlLLS.

improvement in Lasts:

Patented Feb. 20,1872.

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UNITED SATEs ATENT EEIGE.

IVILLIAM J. B. MILLS, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO DE IVITT O. TAYLOR, TRUSTEE, OF NEW YORK CITY.

IMPROVEMENT IN LASTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,835, dated February 20, 1872; antedated February 5, 1872.

SPECIFICATION.

I, WILLIAM J. B. MILLS, ofthe city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvementsin Lasts foi-Turn- Round and Welted Shoes, of which the following is a specification:

Nature and Object of the Invention.

My invention.consists, in the first place, of a stationary clasping-band, in combination with the last, in such a manner that an nwardly-projecting lip of the band, by pressing upon the beveled edge of the sole of the shoe when sprung into the band, confines the sole securely upon the last while being sewed to the upper. Inthe secondplace, it consists of a bead-like projection around the sole ofthe last, a short distance inwardly from the said band, for the purpose of throwin g the leatherbetween the channel and the beveled edge of the sole ontward from the last, to cause the awl and needle to pass through a sufcient substance to hold the upper and sole strongly together. In the third place, it consists in the construction of the sole of the last of concave form throughout its whole area inside of the above-described projection, for the purpose of taking up the excess of thelength ofthe sole over that of thelast, and to bring the middle portion of the sole out of the way of the awl and needle in stitching, and also to facilitate the turning of the shoe in its removal from the last. In the fourth place, it consists in a horizontal separation of the last into two pieces, the separation commencing near the toe, and extending to the most extreme part of the heel, longitudinally,

v so that when the upper piece or block shall be withdrawn from the shoe the lower piece may beeasily turned out of the shoe without breaking the upper. The separation of the block from the lower piece of the last, also, in conjunction with the concave face of the sole of the latter and the binding turned edge of the clasping-band above mentioned, enables the workman to readily turn the shoe as he removes it from the last, not having to first withdraw the last, as in the ordinary method, and he performs the turning without the usual manipulation ofthe sole. In the fifth place, the invention consists in the combination of a clamping-pin and hook with the lower part of the last and the block, for holding the latter securely in the former.

Description 0f the Drawing which Accompanies and makes Part of this Specification.

Figure 1 is a reversed plan of the improved last. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, with the sole in a vertical position, such as it assumes during the stitching with a machine. Fig. 3 is a top View of the last without the block A. Fig. 4, Plate 2, is a longitudinal section of the last at the line ww of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-section of the same at the line y y of Figs. 2 and 4.

Like letters in all the figures indicate the same parts.

General Description.

A represents the lower part of the last, and A a block cut from the same, seen in Figs. 2, 4, and 5. The front end of the block ts into the double-angle recess n at the front end of the last or toe of the part A, whereby it is prevented slipping sidewise. The opening b at the rear end of the block A fits over the staple B at the heel-end of the part A, whereby this end of the block is held in its lateral position. The staple is also used in withdrawing the piece A from the shoe. The block is drawn tightly into the recess and held securely on the piece A bymeans of the pinO, arrangedin a slanting position, as seen in Figs. 2 and 4, to incline the block forward. E is a platehook, connected to the upper edge of block by means of a' screw, c, on which it turns freely to admit of the connection of the hook with the neck of the pin O for clamping the block to the lower piece A, seen clearly in Figs. 4 and 5. D is a metallic band, which is confined around the last for clasping-the sole of the shoe to the same. When the sole is sprung into the band, the inwardly-projecting lip cl of the latter clasps the beveled edge of the sole upon the last t hold the sole securely while being sewed to the upper, as represented in Fig. 5. There is a projection, j', around and on the sole g ofthe last near the band D, which throws the leather between the channel and the beveled edge c outward, so as to present a suficient substance of the sole for the awl and needle to pass through to insure a strong connection ot' the sole and upper, as seen in Fig. 5. I concave the face g ot' the sole ofthe last over the whole surface inside of the project-ion f, whereby the excess of leather in the length ofthe sole F over that of thc last is taken up, and the middle portion of the sole is brought down out of the way of the awl and needle. This form of the face g, by which the sole is brought inward, in conjunction with the claspin g-lip Z of the band l), allows the shoe to be turned, in its removal from the last, after the withdrawal ofthe block A from the shoe, the lower and thin part A then acting as a stripper, and the lip Z holding the shoe in position thereon in advance of the turning, and thus preventing the kinking of the upper, which often occurs in the old mode of turning the shoe after it is taken from the last. Independent of the superior execution ofthe turning ofthe shoe on my plan over that of the ordinary mode, much time is saved by not having to-make separate work in the withdrawal ofthe last and the turning of the shoe. And the turning process requires much less time than the turning alone in the other or old mode, on account of the ease with which it is done. In the oldmode of lasting the shoe for sewing, the face ofthe sole, being swelled, turns the middle portion of the sole of the shoe outward, and hence, when the shoe is being turned, it has to be pressed inward, and this manipulation consumes extra time, besides endan gering the kinkin g ofthe upper part. The band D, instead ot' being made of metal, may be constructed of India rubber or other mateferial ot' su'liicient cohesive strength and iirniness. The lower part of the last A I usually make of metal,and recess it in the manner shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, to reduce its weight. Vhen constructed of wood, it is made solid.

Claims.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s-- l. The combination and arrangement of the permanent band D,construeted substantially as described, with the part A of thelast so that the outer edge of the former shall project beyond the sole ofthe latter, to clasp the edge ofthe shoe-sole upon the last, substantiall y in the manner and for the purpose above described.

2. The construction of the sole of the last with the projection f, for projecting the leather between the channel and the beveled edge of the sole F outward, so as to present a suicient substance of leather for the awl and needle to pass through to insure a strong connection ofthe sole and upper,'as above set forth.

3. The construction of the sole g ofthe last inside of the projection f of concave form, to bring the sole F of the shoe inside of the channel, out of the way of the awl and needle, to make it practicable to turn the shoe in its removal from the last, and also for the purpose of taking up the excess of the length of sole over that ofthe last, as above described.

4. rEhe construction of the last in two pieces, A and Af, when the division extends from the extreme projection of the heel to near the toe ofthe last, so that when the upper part A/ is withdrawn from the shoe the space above the lower part A admits ofthe free turning out of the same from the shoe, or the turning oli' of the shoe from the same without endangering the breaking ofthe upper, as above set forth.

5. rlhe combination and arrangement ofthe inclined pin C and hook E with the piece A and block A', for securing the said block to the former, as above set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 10th day of J uly', 1871.

WM. J. B. MILLS. [L sj Witnesses STEPHEN Usricic, WV. LARZELERE. 

